The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-03-08

IHE Board OF Education still con-
tinue to defy the law, and the school
system is being conducted. or rather
misconducted without any Inspector
at its head. Fortunately teachers as
a body are thoroughly conscientious
men and women Their professional
pride keeps them up to the mark, but
they all have distinct theories and
without head, like to carry their pet
schemes into practice. 1t is perfectly
absurd to talk about a school system
on the Hawaiian Islands when pretty
nearly every teacher in the Govern
ment employ is doing what seems
good in his own eyes, without any re
ference to what his neighbor may be
doing. Indeed no teacher can attempt
TO keep in line with his fellows, mas
much as he has no authoritative guide
to advise and direct him, 10 tell him
where his scholars are falling behind
those Of other Government schools.
where they are IN advance OF them:
where It IS advisable to urge on. where
10 keep back. so as TO keep the school
system perfectly uniform.
But besides the hard working and
conscientious teachers there are those
who are not so, and these need con
slant supervision and attention. This
they certainly do not have at, present
4 spasmodic visit, such as that given
by Professor Scott. though it yielded
an interesting report, was not one cal
eulated 70 do permanent good We
had hoped that the Professor would
have been permanently appointed and
that he would have been allowed 10
impress his individuality upon the
education OF the country. But Mr..
Scott was far too thorough to please
the President Of the Board o. Educa-
ton. He could tel some home truths
and home truths are not what the
President desired The sO-calIed sys-
ten OF the country affords the Presi-
dent little cheap patronage: places
can be found Tor fay0rites OF the Pres
ident. Or Tor friends OF those whom
the President may wish TO reward in
directly. The question Of fitness
never rests II Mr.. Gibson's mind.
Had Dir. Scott remained Is Inspec-
tor Of Schools such little matters
would nave had 10 come out. q sys-
tematic Inspection several times dur
Ing tLe year. would have quickly
shown the blemishes. and for his
own sake OF professional reputation.
ALr- Scott would have had 10 speak out.
OtcOEse. his reports might have been
eLpUrgated- but that L not z satisfac
tory process. and the ezpurgati0ns are
sometimes- uIavoidably allowed to
leak out So lIr. Scott. though pecu-
HaEly fitted. By natural ability and act
ual experience, Tor doing what would
be Of benefit 70 the county for years
10 come. was not found suitable for
the position, and the present plan Of
sending inexperienced men haphazsrd
70 look IL z school here and there. and
draw up report satisfactory % the
President u the Board was adopted
and It works TO & charm There isnO
greater Lumbug. n this country Of
Government hu1bugs than the Ha-
77aIian school system Il l. z name.
but not IN entity In other countries
the IITelIest interest = taken II school
matters. and theories are discussed
and practical plans tired But here
tlr5IgH the chilling influence q e
political Clique. educational advance
usLs - Z system = practically dead
the fece > the school system ought 10
be cut q tEs range Of politics. and
here L l. no.